Sri Lankan authorities have withdrawn official backing for an LGBTQ+ tourism initiative following criticism from religious leaders and conservative groups.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) had previously endorsed a proposal from Equal Ground, an LGBT+ advocacy organisation, to promote the Indian Ocean nation as an inclusive travel destination.
When the endorsement was announced last September, SLTDA chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said the initiative would help diversify tourism markets and position Sri Lanka as “safe and welcoming”.
Religious Opposition and Political Reversal
Local media later reported opposition to the initiative from senior Buddhist monks and from Malcolm Ranjith, head of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka.
Following the backlash, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe confirmed that the government had withdrawn its letter of support.
“People in Sri Lanka are still uncomfortable speaking on this topic. It’s a cultural issue. It’s not Europe, it is still Asia. Practically, we have not advanced to that stage where parents would be alright with same sex marriages,” he said, according to The Telegraph.
He added:
“When we don’t know the kind of sexual orientation of the people who come to this country, what they do in their private time, it is nobody’s concern as long as they don’t engage in such activities in public.”
Same-sex sexual activity remains illegal in Sri Lanka, though the UK Foreign Office notes it is not aware of recent prosecutions.
‘Total Disappointment’
Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, founder of Equal Ground, described the reversal as deeply upsetting.
“We are very disturbed by the news,” she told The Independent, adding that the withdrawal had caused “total disappointment”.
Flamer-Caldera noted that many LGBTQ+ people work within Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and said the project was designed to improve safety and inclusivity.
“The sole purpose was to make Sri Lanka a friendly place for LGBT+ persons to visit and spend their money without judgment or harassment, without prejudice.”
She added that the current government, led by the National People’s Power party, had previously pledged to pursue decriminalisation of same-sex relations.
“We are highly disappointed and we feel that the rhetoric that is going around is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the LGBT+ community and cause damage to our reputations.”
Equal Ground’s initiative aimed to provide inclusion training for tour operators, hotels and taxi drivers to ensure welcoming experiences for LGBT+ travellers.
Tourism Industry Concerns
Darren Burn, CEO of LGBTQ+ travel company Out Of Office, described the decision as “short-sighted”.
“Sri Lanka remains an extraordinary destination, and importantly, there is still a strong network of hotels, guides and travel businesses that genuinely welcome LGBT+ travellers, including several that are proudly gay-owned and operated.
“However, decisions like this from the tourist board do have consequences. We send hundreds of clients to Sri Lanka each year, and news like this inevitably creates hesitation among travellers who want to feel openly welcomed and supported.
“It is a short-sighted move that risks damaging confidence in the destination globally. That said, for those who do choose to visit, Sri Lanka continues to offer incredible diversity, culture, and warmth, and we remain fully committed to helping LGBT+ travellers experience it safely and authentically.”
Sri Lanka Withdraws Backing for LGBTQ+ Tourism After Religious Backlash
Sri Lankan authorities have withdrawn official backing for an LGBTQ+ tourism initiative following criticism from religious leaders and conservative groups.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) had previously endorsed a proposal from Equal Ground, an LGBT+ advocacy organisation, to promote the Indian Ocean nation as an inclusive travel destination.
When the endorsement was announced last September, SLTDA chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said the initiative would help diversify tourism markets and position Sri Lanka as “safe and welcoming”.
Religious Opposition and Political Reversal
Local media later reported opposition to the initiative from senior Buddhist monks and from Malcolm Ranjith, head of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka.
Following the backlash, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe confirmed that the government had withdrawn its letter of support.
“People in Sri Lanka are still uncomfortable speaking on this topic. It’s a cultural issue. It’s not Europe, it is still Asia. Practically, we have not advanced to that stage where parents would be alright with same sex marriages,” he said, according to The Telegraph.
He added:
Same-sex sexual activity remains illegal in Sri Lanka, though the UK Foreign Office notes it is not aware of recent prosecutions.
‘Total Disappointment’
Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, founder of Equal Ground, described the reversal as deeply upsetting.
Flamer-Caldera noted that many LGBTQ+ people work within Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and said the project was designed to improve safety and inclusivity.
She added that the current government, led by the National People’s Power party, had previously pledged to pursue decriminalisation of same-sex relations.
Equal Ground’s initiative aimed to provide inclusion training for tour operators, hotels and taxi drivers to ensure welcoming experiences for LGBT+ travellers.
Tourism Industry Concerns
Darren Burn, CEO of LGBTQ+ travel company Out Of Office, described the decision as “short-sighted”.
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